Thanks, Hweb...that was very helpful.
If you'll indulge me, here's a slightly different question about buying. I take it that you will dollar cost avg down on a stock that you like. Let's assume a scenario that envisions a stock shooting up after an earnings report but then drifting back down again through the quarter. How much of a position will you accumulate (as a % of your portfolio) before the next earnings report? Do you ever just admit defeat and give up when a certain loss percentage has been reached?
I find that I'm usually trying to resist the urge to buy more of a beaten down stock that I like, and less likely to buy stocks don't have as much of a value "cushion", especially if they have moved up strongly post earnings.
I'm also reluctant to take profits as quickly as you do, if I feel fairly certain that a stock could trade 30%+ higher than present value.....but selling is the toughest call to make, IMO.
Thanks for your insights.